SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5563

               As Passed Senate, March 10, 1995

Title:  An act relating to class H liquor licenses issued to hotels operating conference or convention centers or having banquet facilities on property owned or through leasehold interest by the licensed hotel.

Brief Description:  Relating to class H liquor licenses issued to hotels operating conference or convention centers or having banquet facilities on property owned or through leasehold interest by the licensed hotel.

Sponsors:  Senators West, Pelz and McCaslin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  2/9/95, 2/13/95 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/10/95, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Pelz, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Deccio, Franklin, Fraser, Hale, Newhouse and Palmer.

Staff:  Max Williams (786-7439)

Background:  Currently, only organizations servicing events in publicly owned facilities, such as civic centers and community halls, can extend their class H liquor licenses to cover them.  Some hotels own convention centers, ballrooms, and the like, that are extensions of the hotel's hospitality operations.  Hotel corporations with facilities that are not located within a hotel can only service these facilities with a class I license, which restricts the storage and delivery of liquor.  These hotels may not extend their existing class H licenses to these offsite buildings.

Summary of Bill:  Class H licensed hotels may extend their license to property owned or controlled by leasehold interest for use as a conference or convention center or banquet facility.  These facilities are open to the general public for special events and must be in the same metropolitan area as the hotel.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill would afford the same rights and privileges that concessionaires in publicly-owned facilities have already been granted.  This will give hotels the flexibility to create events and activities that will encourage the general public to come into downtown areas and take advantage of these convention and banquet facilities.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator James West, prime sponsor (pro); Art Coffey, Cavanaugh's Inns (pro).